Caffeinated Drinks Can Slow Brain Development in Teenagers

Teenagers addicted to coffee might find themselves in a fix. A latest study shows that too much caffeine can hamper development in pubescent brains.

The study conducted on rats showed the way caffeine played a major role in slowing down the brain development process. These 30-days-old rats were given moderate caffeine dosage for five days. The control group of rats was given pure drinking water. They found that the caffeine affected brain development in rats.

"The brain of children is extremely plastic due to the many connections," said Reto Huber, one of the researchers, in a news release. "This optimization presumably occurs during deep sleep. Key synapses extend, other are reduced; this makes the network more efficient and the brain more powerful."

The study authors said that with increase in age curiosity in rats too advanced. But, they found that rats on caffeine showed less curiosity compared to control group rats.

Caffeine consumption during critical developmental period showed long-lasting effects on sleep and brain maturation, the researchers noted.

Another study found that a few cups of coffee can lower suicide risk in adults and act as an anti-depressant. They found that caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system and also activates the production of some neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. Thus, acting as a mild  anti-depressant.

But experts warned that depressed adults should seek medical attention rather than simply consuming coffee for treatment. They warned that excess intake of caffeine can lead to insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, muscle tremors and increased heartbeat.